UMD Veterinary Medicine Faculty Secure MAES Competitive Grants for 2025-26.
Three faculty members from the University of Maryland's Department of Veterinary Medicine have been awarded prestigious MAES Competitive Grants for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Research Focus Areas
Dr. Alix Berglund will advance her work on immunomodulatory therapies using mesenchymal stem cells and TGF-beta signaling pathways. Her laboratory focuses on developing novel approaches to reduce immunogenicity of allogeneic MSCs and enhance their therapeutic properties.
Dr. Mostafa Ghanem will continue his research on the development of advanced molecular diagnostics and typing schemes using next-generation sequencing for molecular typing and epidemiological investigation of infectious diseases of economic (Avian Mycoplasma) and public health significance (foodborne pathogens).
Dr. Yanjin Zhang will pursue his research on molecular virology and virus-cell interactions, with particular focus on viral pathogenesis and vaccine development. His current projects include studies on PRRSV, hepatitis E virus, Zika virus, and SARS-CoV-2
Grant Significance
The MAES Research Grant Program supports research that addresses NIFA's priority areas, including animal health and production, food safety, and agricultural systems. These seed grants are designed to help faculty secure larger competitive external grants, particularly AFRI and other federal funding opportunities.
The awarded projects align with the national research priorities in food security and animal health, positioning the University of Maryland's Veterinary Medicine Department at the forefront of advancing veterinary science and medicine.
